Do YOU use an email mailing list?

[CaptnHeroic]

Hey guys! I've been thinking alot lately about setting up an Email mailing list for all my readers (I know I only have a few here, but I have more readers on other platforms)
I've heard that they get more response than social media post when announcing big events.

Do you use an email list? or would you sign up to one for your favorite comic?

[cleo_san]

I have no email list, but I'm thinking of putting one up if I manage to put my website for Remember together. As long as I'm only on tapas, webtoons and other websites where tons of users are active, a mailing list is not that necessary I guess =)

I have subscribed to a few mailing lists, one or two, but those guys aren't very active, so... it's basicylla not that effective XD

[joannekwan]

Nah, I don't like bothering people.

[CaptnHeroic]

@cleo_san True, if they are on here, then they don't need the list, but I was thinking more so for announcements such as if you want to start a Kickstarter to get your comic printed, or something like that. Like an announcement that's big, not just "hey I have posted a new page"

@joannekwan I wouldn't think of it as bothering them if they sign up. They don't have to sign up. But If my favorite webcomic had a big announcement, like they were going to be a local comicon, or they have a new Kickstarter, or even a new T-Shirt, then I would like to know so that I can get it if I want.

[joannekwan]

Haha that's true. I still feel like I'm bothering them even if it's consensual. <:3c

Like the mailing lists I have I mostly delete right away, even if it's something I like. If it doesn't have exactly what will pique my interest, into the trash it goes.

[CaptnHeroic]

lol I'm the exact same way. I sign up, and then never read them. But I guess some people do.

[phen]

The Comixlaunch topics that have been going around are a little misleading when it comes to mailing lists -- they're amazing for more commercial ventures and news outlets but not so much with webcomics (which is why it isn't something widely taught in art courses, the list at large is not a very reliable network).

Instead, on-site newsletters posted once a month or once every couple of months can be a much more sustainable platform in the long run and require less time-investment for both the creator and the reader. Realistically, unless there's a design team dedicated to construct and maintain the list for you, it's difficult to justify the pay-off.

That being said, they can be really fun to organise if you have time and are interested in it. And attaching mini satisfaction surveys to your mailing lists on how to best improve the response/click-through rates can get more traffic where you want. I think the most successful webcomics-oriented mailing lists are those with a collective attached to them. Variety does well in mailing lists.

[CaptnHeroic]

Thanks for the reply!
Yes, Comixlaunch is what has been making me think about doing it. I guess, I'm not thinking of my "regular" readers, but there are a ton of people who prefer to read comicbooks and not web comics. I think they would benefit to know when I am releasing a new print book, whether it's in a shop, or through a Kickstarter. They may not see it on my social networks. Some web readers may like that as well for print comics, but you are so right, they can get the info here.

[sandpaperdaisy]

In my own personal experience I've found them to be handy when I'm following my fellow artists who do a wide variety of events, like solo shows, book signings, table shows, etc. in addition to their comic book announcements. In that respect I like being on the mailing list to see an aggregation of all their events and locations each month or season.

I don't necessarily think it would be handy for someone who didn't need to make a lot of announcements in one place about where to come physically see them over the next couple of months, or who didn't have a bunch of different articles on different sites to point people to, or etc. I think it's most handy (at least to me) as a master posting of all the stuff you've got going on in a given interim.

I also think it's good to have the interims be relatively far spaced apart, if you decide to do a list. Once every couple of months maybe, or once a quarter.

[phen]

Ah, so the angle's more toward the potential of mailing lists to increase the visibility of webcomics. It seems like it'd go hand-in-hand, right? Especially since they're both digital formats, quite conducive to one another. That's a totally plausible method! And yo, it's always good to reach out with some kind of personal touch to get people interested in your original merchandise and kickstarter. You could definitely could use something like a mailing list to your advantage.

Perhaps an open-invite a month or so before you launch (the store/kickstarter)? Something very short and succinct, a firm timetable along with your pitch, and a happy invite looking forward to potential subscribers with questions or input regarding your project. This could be really cool to build your own community!

[punkarsenic]

ive considered it. less for announcements, and more as a way or people to read my comic.

my dad supports me on patreon, because hes lovely, but i think he only keeps up with the comic bc he gets emails about it. i only keep up with a lot of comics because i get notifications about it on here (fuck i havent read print comics in mooooooonths its terrible.) so maybe having basically an email rss feed would be beneficial. then again people can just pledge a dollar for the convenience or sign up to tapas, so like... eh

[Michelle]

I maintain an email list for my comic's monthly newsletter. I bring sign-up sheets with me to shows and also have a form on the website that gets a few new signups each month. :>

I think a newsletter is a good way to provide updates to people who don't want to check the site every week and would rather get their updates in monthly chunks. Keyword being monthly-- any more than that and those emails will probably be a nuisance.

I also use my newsletter to inform readers of upcoming cons I'm attending, new rewards on my patreon, any kickstarters, and other miscellaneous announcements that might get swept away in a social media feed. An email list might not be worthwhile when you're first starting out, but it's a good thing to have once you've got a decent readership.

[CireWire]

I just started one, but sadly no sign ups yet I'm hoping to have a newsletter exclusive ready to use as a sweet bribe!

Usually, if I have a favorite comic that offers one I would jump on it like a shark on...pizza?

[CaptnHeroic]

That's awesome! Those sound like great ideas. (which I may steal!)
Who do you use to do your list? The only one I have thought about is Mail chimp.

[CaptnHeroic]

Well I hope you get some! I want to start one as well. Hopefully I'll get some sign ups too!

[Michelle]

Steal away! :> Yes, I use mailchimp. If you have a personal website, you can even embed a signup form on your homepage, which I find pretty handy.

[CaptnHeroic]

Awesome! I think I will do that. I have other projects that I work on, not just my webcomic, so it would be a good way to do one!